Marshall transfer student makes 'Best. Decision. Ever.'

As she traveled to her new home Bethany McFerrin saw a billboard that stood high above the interstate on the side of the road. The sign was kelly green with a M in the middle, representing Marshall University,  the new home she was traveling to. The billboard only had three sentences, ‘Best. Decision. Ever.’  but was as powerful as any other.

This billboard created a question in McFerrin’s mind, which she tweeted about later; will this be my best decision ever?

McFerrin will be a sophomore at Marshall after transferring to the university for the fall of 2014 semester.  McFerrin applied at Marshall after a former teacher encouraged her to in high school. She applied at Marshall but  later decided to attend a school in her community first as a way to take basic requirement college classes before taking the plunge into journalism.

While several students might still be having a hard time knowing what they want to study in college, McFerrin has already narrowed what she wants to study down.

“I am interested in writing and editing,” she said. “I would like to be a voice for the people who are unable or afraid to speak up for themselves.”

It is not just people McFerrin wants to be the voice for. Originally, she wanted to study to become a veterinarian, but soon realized she would not be able to do most the physical work the field requires. 

However, that has not stopped her from helping animals in need.

McFerrin has volunteered at her local animal shelter, by showing the animals love and compassion until they find their forever homes. However, Mcferrin’s mother, Sarah McFerrin, said McFerrin wanted to adopt all the dogs herself.

She said she hopes to focus her studies on online journalism and to write for the student newspaper, the Parthenon, covering stories about science or animals, a job which would prepare her for a career after graduation.

"I am most excited to learn how to present myself in a professional manner," she said.

McFerrin she said she wanted to get to know her peers, professors and school before the fall semester starts. She was given this opportunity through the Marshall University's School of Journalism and Mass Communication High School Workshop, a program which she will complete Wednesday.

Courtney Sealey can be contacted at Sealey3@Marshall.edu